Combination of recorded program index and EPG

ABSTRACT

A television system has a television viewing mode and a guide mode. The guide mode includes an electronic program guide (EPG), which provides the viewer program information for tuned programs, and a tape index guide (TIG), which provides information for programs recorded on a video cassette. In both guides, real time images of a program are displayed in a PIP window on the television screen and guide information is displayed in the background. In both guides, the viewer may switch between a currently telecast program or a recorded program. The viewer may access either guide from the television mode and vice versa. In the guide mode, the viewer may independently switch the guide information and the type of program, i.e., tuned or recorded, in the PIP window.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of television, and more particularlyto a method and apparatus for switching between a television viewingmode and a guide mode which comprises program guide screens, fortelecast programs, and video tape index guide screens, for recordedprograms.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Television systems are available which include various types ofon-screen guides to provide a viewer with information about availableprograms. Electronic program guides (EPG) provide information aboutcurrently telecast programs and programs to be broadcast in the future.An EPG includes program listings which provide time, channel, length,and title information for a program and may also provide a briefdescription of the content of the program in a separate portion of thescreen. Many EPG systems have the capability to sort program listings bytype, time, or viewer preferences.

Tape indexing systems for video cassette recorders (VCR) allow a viewerto identify a recorded program stored in the viewer's video tapelibrary. Such systems also provide an on-screen directory of programsavailable on a loaded tape and can automatically scan through the videotape to the position of the desired program stored on the tape.

Some types of EPG and tape index guides include screens with a picturein picture (PIP) window for displaying moving, real time images or stillimages from a selected television program.

It is desirable to provide a television system which has both types ofguides, i.e., an EPG and a tape index guide, and which facilitatesnavigation in a guide mode between the various guide screens and betweenthe guide mode and a normal television viewing mode, in which a selectedtelevision program is viewed full screen.

It is also desirable to provide a viewer with the capability to controlwhich program is displayed in the PIP window in the guide mode in thesame manner the viewer would in the normal television viewing mode. Thisincludes switching between tuned channels or between the outputs of thetuner and the VCR.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A television system according to the present invention includes a tapeindexing and searching (TIS) apparatus for generating a tape indexdisplay, an electronic program guide (EPG) apparatus for generating anEPG display, a VCR for playing recorded television programs, and a tunerfor receiving broadcast television programs. The video outputs of thetwo guide apparatus are connected to a guide switch and the video outputof the tuner and the VCR are connected to a program source switch. A PIPchip is operatively connected to the guide switch and the program sourceswitch such that in an active mode the PIP chip displays on a televisionscreen a PIP window displaying the moving, real time images of aselected program overlaid on a background comprising selected guideinformation.

Preferably a microprocessor controls and coordinates the operation ofthe PIP chip and the switches so that the viewer may navigate betweenthe various screens of the guide mode and the normal television viewingmode, and display a desired program in the PIP window.

By pressing a guide/tv button on the remote controller, the viewer mayenter either an EPG or tape index guide from the normal television modeand also return to the television mode from either type of guide. Ineither the television or guide mode, a program source button toggles theprogram display between a tuned program and a recorded program playingon the VCR. In the guide mode, a guide/index button toggles between theEPG and the tape index guide. In the television mode, a PIP buttonallows the viewer to view the program being output from one programsource, i.e., the tuner or the VCR, while viewing the program outputfrom the other program source full screen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of a specific embodiment of the best mode contemplated ofcarrying out the invention are illustrated in the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of apparatus for practicing theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a remote controller for operating the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and9;

FIGS. 3 to 7 are television screens formatted to practice the inventionwith the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of apparatusfor practicing the invention;

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of the PLAY buttonin either a guide mode or a television viewing mode;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are flow diagrams illustrating the operation of aGUIDE/TV button in the television viewing mode;

FIGS. 11A and 11B are flow diagrams illustrating the operation of anINDEX button in the guide mode;

FIGS. 12A and 12B are flow diagrams illustrating the operation of theGUIDE/TV button in the guide mode; and

FIGS. 13A and 13B are flow diagrams illustrating the operation of a PIPbutton in the television viewing mode;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A television system according to a presently preferred embodiment of theinvention combines an electronic program guide (EPG) and a tape indexguide. The EPG is of the type which provides one or more screens ofprogram listings. These listings may include currently telecast programsand programs to be broadcast in the future. The program listings aresorted by category and by time in different screens of the guide. TheEPG includes a picture in picture (PIP) window for display of acurrently telecast program. The viewer may change the program displayedin the PIP window by cursoring through listings of currently telecastprograms in one of the guides.

The tape index guide system is of the type which is provided with a VBIdecoder to decode information, such as title, channel, date, time, andlength of broadcast programs and utilizes the information in providing adirectory of programs stored on a recorded tape and for controlling theVCR. The tape index guide system is also provided with a VBI encoder forinserting control and directory information onto the tape on which thebroadcast program is being recorded, either in the VBI portions of thevideo track or in the control track of the tape. From the control anddirectory information stored on the tape, the tape index guide systemcreates a program directory which may be displayed on the screen. Thedirectory enables the viewer to determine the location of a recordedprogram in his or her tape library and control the playing of a selectedprogram on a tape loaded in the VCR. The on-screen directory includes aPIP window. The PIP window may be used to display an entire selectedprogram or a selected video clip from the program as the program listingis selected in the directory.

The television system according to the invention allows the vieweraccess to either type of guide, i.e., EPG or tape index guide, from atelevision mode and also allows navigation between the two guides in aguide mode.

In FIG. 1 a source of television signals 10, such as a terrestrialantenna or cable, is connected by a television tuner 12 to one input ofprogram source switch 14. The video output of a video cassette recorder(VCR) 16 is connected to the other input of switch 14. An EPG apparatus18 is connected to one input of guide switch 20. A tape indexing andsearching (TIS) apparatus 22 is connected to the other input of switch20. The outputs of switches 14 and 20 are connected to the respectiveinputs of a conventional PIP integrated circuit chip 23. The output ofPIP chip 23 is connected to the video input of a television 24 having ascreen (not shown). When PIP chip 23 is turned off, one video programfrom tuner 12 or VCR 16 is displayed on the screen of television fullscreen. When PIP chip 23 is turned on, one video program from tuner 12or VCR 16 is displayed in a PIP window of the screen, while textualmaterial from EPG apparatus 18 or TIS apparatus 22 is displayed in thebackground. EPG apparatus 18 and TIS apparatus 22 are also connected byhardwire or wireless means (not shown) to tuner 12 and VCR 16. The audiochannels from tuner 12 and VCR 16 are coupled by an audio amplifier to aloudspeaker (not shown), which could be that of television 24. A remotecontroller 26 permits a television viewer to operate the apparatus.Depending upon the physical locations of the various components, one ormore microprocessors are used to control the various components—EPGapparatus 18, TIS apparatus 22, tuner 12, VCR 16, and PIP chip 23, aswell as switches 14 and 20—responsive to remote controller 26.

As shown in FIG. 2, remote controller 26 has a GUIDE/TV button 28, anINDEX button 30, a PLAY button 32, a RECORD button 34, and a STOP button35, which control the operation of the apparatus in FIG. 1. In analternate embodiment described below, the remote controller also has aPIP button 62. Up and down arrow buttons 36 and 38 control the movementof an on-screen cursor in television 24. A row of buttons 40, 42, 44,and 46, which are marked with the colors blue (B), green (G), yellow(Y), and red (R), are used to select on-screen color-coded prompts whichmay be provided on the various guide screens.

The screen formats of FIGS. 3 to 7 each have a PIP window 50 overlaid ona background area 52. Background area 52 includes a banner and messageprompting area 54 at the top of the screen, a program description area56 in the upper right-hand corner of the screen adjacent to PIP window50, and a program listing area 58 below areas 52 and 56. The viewer canmove a cursor 60 vertically to highlight one of the lines displayed inlisting area 58 by operating arrow buttons 36 and 38 on remotecontroller 26.

The operation of the apparatus will now be described starting in thetelevision mode with PIP chip 23 turned off. In the television mode,moving, real time images of a program are displayed full screen on thetelevision. The program displayed may be either a currently telecastprogram being received by tuner 12, or a recorded program played from avideo tape loaded in VCR 16. Switch 14 controls whether the video inputto the television is from the tuner 12 or the VCR 16. Switch 14 iscontrolled by the PLAY button 32 on the remote controller 26. Bypressing the PLAY button, the viewer controls the input source to thetelevision and switches between the currently telecast program outputfrom the tuner and the recorded program being output by the VCR, asshown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. Preferably, when no recorded program is beingplayed by the VCR 16, a microprocessor (not shown) associated with theapparatus controls switch 14 to remain switched to the tuner.Alternatively, if a tape is loaded in VCR 16, but not playing, when theviewer presses PLAY button 32, the microprocessor will substantiallysimultaneously control switch 14 to switch on to VCR 16 and control theVCR to play the tape (FIG. 9B).

According to a presently preferred embodiment, the viewer is able toselect between a EPG, a tape index guide, and a normal television mode.As used herein, “television mode” refers to normal television viewingwherein a currently telecast or recorded program is displayed fullscreen. “Guide mode” refers to displaying one of the guide screensaccording to the invention, which may be either an EPG or a tape indexguide. The guide screens comprise graphics in the background area 52 anda program being displayed in the PIP window 50.

The GUIDE/TV button on the remote controller 26 controls guide switch 20and PIP chip 23 and is used to switch between the television mode andthe guide mode. When the viewer presses GUIDE/TV button 28, PIP chip 23is turned on, guide switch 20 couples EPG apparatus 18 or TIS apparatus22 to PIP chip 23, and television 28 displays an EPG or tape indexguide, respectively.

Preferably, the microprocessor controlling guide switch 20 is sensitiveto the condition of program source switch 14 so that when switch 14 isswitched to tuner 12, the microprocessor controls guide switch 20 tocouple EPG apparatus 18 to PIP circuit 23 when the GUIDE/TV button 28 ispressed. This causes television 24 to display the screen of FIG. 3. Whenthe EPG is entered directly in the manner, the last channel to whichtelevision 28 was tuned in the television mode is displayed at the topof listing area 58, e.g., PBS Channel 28, and EPG information isdisplayed in listing area 58. The real time telecast program highlightedby cursor 60 in listing area 58 is displayed as a moving real time imagein PIP window 50, e.g., the program telecast on ABC Channel 7, and adescription of this program is displayed in area 56, as shown in FIG.10A.

Alternatively, if switch 14 is switched to VCR 16 in the television modeand the viewer presses GUIDE/TV button 28, PIP chip 23 is turned on, andthe microprocessor controls guide switch 20 to couple TIS apparatus 22to television 24 so that tape index guide information is displayed inbackground area 52 with the program output from the VCR displayed in PIPwindow 50, as shown in FIG. 10B.

In another preferred embodiment, if the tape playing in the VCR isencoded with control and directory information, the tape index guidescreen of FIG. 7 is displayed. A directory of the programs or programsegments on the tape loaded in VCR 16 is displayed in listing area 58. Alisting for the program displayed in the PIP window is highlighted bycursor 60 and a description of the program is displayed in area 56.Preferably, when the viewer moves cursor 60 to another listing, TISapparatus 22 uses the control and directory information stored on thetape to initiate a program searching which it controls VCR 16 to locateand queue up the highlighted program and play the tape so that the newlyselected recorded program is displayed in PIP window 50.

Due to the mechanical limitations of the VCR, locating a selectedprogram on a videotape may take the up to a minute or more. Accordingly,it is desirable to delay such a program search by the VCR until theviewer is committed to searching for the recorded program on the tape.This is accomplished in the following alternate embodiments: in oneembodiment, the program search is delayed until the program listing inlisting area 58 is highlighted with cursor 60 for a set period of time,e.g., 5 seconds. In another embodiment, the viewer initiates a search bypositioning cursor 60 on the desired program and then pressing a setsequence of buttons on the remote controller to command TIS apparatus22.

According to alternate embodiments of the invention, once the selectedprogram, e.g., “When You Wish Upon A Star” in FIG. 7, is finishedplaying, tape indexing and searching apparatus 22 may either control theVCR to stop automatically, or rewind the tape and repeat playing theselected program, or continue to play the tape so that the next programis displayed, i.e., “Belle”. The viewer may stop the program by pressingthe STOP button 35. Preferably, if the tape loaded in the VCR is notencoded with control and directory information, the screen of FIG. 4 isdisplayed. A menu for operation of apparatus 22 is displayed in listingarea 58 and a prompting message is displayed in area 56. The viewerinputs a number to identify the function to be performed. The viewer'sobjective is to identify the video tape on which a program to be playedis stored. If the viewer seeks to find the program by video tape number,the viewer inputs the number “1” and the screen shown in FIG. 5 isdisplayed by television 24. If the viewer seeks to find the program bytitle, the viewer inputs the number “2” and the screen shown in FIG. 6is displayed by television 24. After the appropriate tape is loaded inthe VCR is loaded, the screen shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. If theprogram is searched by title (FIG. 6), the selected program will behighlighted by cursor 60 upon entering the screen of FIG. 7. If theprogram is searched by tape number, the program stored at the beginningof the tape will be highlighted by cursor 60 in listing area 58. In thescreen of FIG. 7, when the viewer presses PLAY button 32, the TISapparatus 22 initiates a program search. As described above, TISapparatus 22 controls VCR 16 to locate the program selected by cursor 60on the tape, play the tape and display the selected program in PIPwindow 50. In an alternate embodiment, when the appropriate tape isloaded, TIS apparatus 22 automatically initiates a program search forthe selected program.

While in the guide mode, INDEX button 30 controls switch 20. Thus, froman EPG screen such as that shown in FIG. 3, the viewer may switch to atape index screen such as that shown in FIG. 4, and vice versa, as shownin FIGS. 11A and 11B. Since only switch 20 is controlled by INDEX button30, according to this embodiment, the program being displayed in PIPwindow 50 is unchanged as the background 52 is switched between an EPGand a tape index guide. Preferably INDEX button 30 is inoperable in thetelevision mode.

PLAY button 32 controls program source switch 14 in either thetelevision mode or the guide mode to switch between tuner 12 and VCR 16.Thus, the viewer may switch between the program output by VCR 16 and theprogram output by tuner 12 in the PIP window 50 while in the guide mode.Also, if a tape is loaded in VCR 16 and is not playing, pressing PLAYbutton 32 will cause the VCR to begin playing the tape when switchingprogram source switch 14 from tuner 12 to VCR 16. Preferably ahighlighted area 62 which includes the program listing for the programtuned by the tuner is included in area 52 of the tape index guidescreens. This allows the viewer to identify the currently telecastprogram displayed in the PIP window 50 while in the tape index guide.

Preferably, if the viewer enters the tape index guide from the EPG andno video tape is loaded in VCR 16, television 24 displays the screen ofFIG. 4, with the program output from the tuner displayed in PIP window50 (e.g., ABC Channel 7). The viewer navigates from the screen of FIG. 4to the screen of FIG. 7 as described above. A description of therecorded program in listing area 58 highlighted by cursor 60 isdisplayed in area 56. Thus, the viewer can scan the descriptions of therecorded programs in area 56 by moving cursor 60 with arrow keys 36 and38, while continuing to see the currently telecast program in PIP window50. After the viewer identifies and loads into VCR 16 the video tape onwhich the desired program is recorded, the screen of FIG. 7 isdisplayed. If the viewer knows the tape in advance, the menus of FIGS. 4to 6 can be bypassed by loading the tape into VCR 16 before pressingINDEX button 30.

The viewer may exit the guide mode, from either the EPG or the tapeindex guide, using GUIDE/TV button 28. When the user presses theGUIDE/TV button while in the guide mode, the PIP chip 23 is turned off.Thus, the program source to which program source switch 14 is switched,i.e., tuner 12 or VCR 16, will be directly coupled to the television andthe program output from that program source will be displayed fullscreen, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B.

In all the described modes, the sound accompanying the video programdisplayed in PIP window 50 is reproduced by the loudspeaker oftelevision 24.

According to yet another alternate embodiment of the invention, theapparatus may be configured to display a PIP window 60 in the televisionmode, thereby allowing the viewer to view the recorded program beingoutput by VCR 16 and the currently telecast program being output bytuner 12 simultaneously. As shown in FIG. 8, the VCR 16 and tuner 12 areboth connected to switch 20′ which switches between the video signalsinput from TIS apparatus 22, EPG apparatus 18, VCR 16, and tuner 12.According to this embodiment, a PIP button 62 is provided on remotecontroller 26 (FIG. 2). Switch 20′ is controlled by a microprocessor(not shown) which is sensitive to the condition of switch 14. In thetelevision mode, when the viewer presses the PIP button 63, the PIP chipis turned on and the controller controls each of program source switch14 and switch 20′ to 20 switch to either the tuner or VCR output suchthat the last program currently being displayed full screen is displayedin the background 52 and the program from the other component (VCR 16 ortuner 12) is displayed in the PIP window 60, as shown in FIGS. 13A and13B. If when PIP button 63 is pressed, the tuner is selected and noprogram is being output from the VCR, the microprocessor preferably doesnot turn on PIP circuit 23 and instead displays a prompt indicating thatno tape is loaded in the VCR, or that the VCR is not playing, dependingon the condition of the VCR. Preferably, the PIP button 63 is inoperablewhile the apparatus is in the guide mode.

Although certain preferred embodiments of the present invention havebeen described herein, many modifications and variations will beapparent to those skilled in the art. It is therefore to be understoodthat the scope of the invention should be limited only by the appendedclaims.

1-13. (canceled)
 14. A method for use in an interactive television guidesystem in which program listings are available for broadcast programsand recorded programs, the method comprising: displaying an on-screenguide comprising at least two program listings, wherein a first programlisting corresponds to a recorded program and a second program listingcorresponds to a broadcast program; receiving a user selection of aprogram listing displayed in the on-screen guide; and in response to theuser selection, displaying a program that corresponds to the selectedprogram listing.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein displaying theprogram further comprises displaying the on-screen guide when displayingthe program.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the program isdisplayed in a PIP window.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein: theselected program listing is the first program listing; and the programis the recorded program.
 18. The method of claim 14, wherein: theselected program listing is the second program listing; and the programis the broadcast program.
 19. The method of claim 14, wherein theon-screen program guide is displayed in response to a user indicating adesire to display recorded program listings while tuned to the broadcastprogram in full screen format.
 20. The method of claim 14, wherein theprogram is displayed in a full screen format.
 21. The method of claim 14further comprising, in response to the user selection, displaying aprogram description that is associated with the program.
 22. The methodof claim 14, wherein the broadcast program will be broadcast in thefuture.
 23. The method of claim 14, wherein the broadcast program iscurrently being broadcast.
 24. An interactive television guide systemthat makes available program listings for broadcast programs andrecorded programs, the system comprising: a display screen; a storagedevice; an on-screen guide implemented at least partially by amicroprocessor, wherein the microprocessor is programmed to: provideon-screen guide comprising at least two program listings, wherein afirst program listing corresponds to a recorded program and a secondprogram listing corresponds to a broadcast program; receive a userselection of a program listing displayed in the on-screen guide; and inresponse to the user selection, display a program that corresponds tothe selected program listing.
 25. The system of claim 24, wherein themicroprocessor is further programmed to display the on-screen guide whendisplaying the program.
 26. The system of claim 25, wherein themicroprocessor is further programmed to display the program in a PIPwindow.
 27. The system of claim 24, wherein: the selected programlisting is the first program listing; and the program is the recordedprogram.
 28. The system of claim 24, wherein: the selected programlisting is the second program listing; and the program is the broadcastprogram.
 29. The system of claim 24, wherein the microprocessor isfurther programmed to display the on-screen program guide in response toa user indicating a desire to display recorded program listings whiletuned to the broadcast program in full screen format.
 30. The system ofclaim 24, wherein the microprocessor is further programmed to displaythe program in a full screen format.
 31. The system of claim 24, whereinthe microprocessor is further programmed to display a programdescription that is associated with the program in response to the userselection.
 32. The system of claim 24, wherein the broadcast programwill be broadcast in the future.
 33. The system of claim 24, wherein thebroadcast program is currently being broadcast.